Changes for truck drivers in Commonwealth Games Prep

THE QUEENSLAND State Government has announced a plan to move heavy vehicles to the left lane on the M1 during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a number of temporary measures would be introduced to reduce congestion, maximise capacity and improve the reliability of the M1 for the duration of the Games.

"During the Games, the M1 will be one of the key routes for athletes and officials travelling to and from the Games Village to competition venues in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast," Mr Bailey said.

"It is important to the success of the Games that we keep traffic moving on the M1."

The Gold Coast Bulletin has reported today that drivers could lose three demerit points under the new law.

The temporary measures on the M1 included:

•Restricting trucks over 4.5 tonnes to the two left lanes from the M1/M3 merge at Eight Mile Plains to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, from August 2017 onwards.

•Allowing vehicles carrying athletes and officials under police escort to travel along the hard shoulder of a section of the M1 from Smith St to Hope Island at low speed if there is congestion that may prevent them from arriving at an event on time.

•Reducing the speed in the 100km/h zone by 10 km/h to 90km/h from the M1/M3 merge at Eight Mile Plains to Logan Motorway interchange.

•Reducing the speed in the 110km/h speed zone by 10km/h to 100km/h from the Logan Motorway Interchange to Smith Street (Exit 66).

•Additional Traffic Response Units and towing vehicles to ensure incidents are cleared as quickly as possible.

"We have been working with peak bodies including the RACQ and Queensland Trucking Association and we are confident we can improve the safety and journey time reliability for motorists travelling on the M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast during the Games," Mr Bailey said.

Mayor of City of Gold Coast Tom Tate said transport was the number one issue Gold Coasters raise when it comes to the 2018 Games.

"Gold Coasters rightly want to know about their options when moving about the city, not only to enjoy the games, but to continue with their work and travel commitments," Mayor Tate said.

"I'm delighted the State Government is on the front foot with smart solutions for athletes, officials, spectators and residents moving about the city during this significant event.''

Ms Jones said the final Transport Operations Plan would be released in due course.